Mrs. Putnam believes there are witches in Salem primarily because of her personal grief and sense of loss. She has experienced the tragic deaths of seven of her eight children shortly after birth, and this has left her desperate for answers and someone to blame. In a society like Salem, where superstition and fear of the Devil were rampant, she turns to the idea of witchcraft to explain these tragedies.
Furthermore, Mrs. Putnam’s jealousy and resentment towards others, particularly Rebecca Nurse who has healthy children, amplify her conviction that witches are responsible for her misfortunes. Instead of confronting her pain or seeking understanding, she channels her grief into accusations against others, which is a reflection of her own vulnerable and bitter state. This desperation leads her to support the witch trials, hoping to find justice for her suffering through the persecution of others.